‘Singing for Fun’ is a therapy that does what it says on the tin. It’s a fun way of building confidence and self-esteem. You don’t have to be a Bono or Beyonce. It doesn’t even matter if you’re tone deaf. Even Allan says he can only just about carry a song – and has been known to drop a few notes. The focus is on having fun.

Scientific evidence shows that as well as giving physical benefit of improving oxygen flow it also makes us more alert. It’s a fact that singing is beneficial to mental well-being. Singing helps us to live in the moment, allows us to forget about our worries. Singing floods the brain with healthy chemicals and gives us a natural high. It reduces stress and can alleviate the feelings of isolation and anxiety.

Allan agrees with Pat, who is a regular participant in the current group, running at the Wellbeing Centre, Chestergate, Stockport, after the group had performed at Stockport Town Hall, she said:

‘I love it. It’s given me a new lease of life (laughs) who’d have thought I’d ever be singing on a stage, in public’.

She didn’t even have the confidence to approach a goose, let alone say boo to one, before she joined the group.

The group can be tailored to any age group, and can be facilitated solely by Allan or jointly with Sheila Gott, professional singer and vocal coach, who coached Take That, and can improve the technical ability of the group's singing.

Smile Workshops

Some of the services Allan offers, click on a title to see more about it: